Container



Nov. 3, 1942.

H; J. FISCHER CONTAINER Filed Nov. l2, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 3, 1942. J. FISCHER 2,300,492

I CONTAINER Filed Nov. l2, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet Nov. 3, 1942.

H. J. FISCHER CONTAINER 5 Sheets-.Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 12, 1938 Patented Nov. 3, 1942 CONTAINER Howard J. Fischer, Middletown, Ohio, assignor to The Gardner-Richardson Company,- Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 12, 1938, Serial No. 239,961

3 Claims. (Cl. 229-52) This invention relates to containers, and more particularly to containers of paperboard or the like.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide an economical, attractive, and convenient merchandising container in which a plurality of merchandising units are packed, displayed, sold and carried.

A further object of the invention is to provide a merchandising container adapted to receive a predetermined number of merchandising units. such as a number customarily needed for a particular use or a number chosen for a special quantity price and to encourage sale of such group of units, with the lled container forming an attractive and conveniently portable display unit.

Another object is to provide a merchandising container adapted to receive a plurality of merchandislng units and which is adapted to be shipped in flat form and readily set up and lled, and which has an integrally formed, strong, and convenient handle portion preformed in the blank and readily adjustable to carrying position independently of the package-filling operation.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown for purposes of illustration- Fig. l is a plan view of a blank from which is formed the container of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view showing the container set up and lled with merchandising units;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational viewof the container looking toward the left-hand end of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view taken immediately inside the right-hand end wall of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the end wall;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental, vertical, sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, and shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a view taken similarly to Fig. 5 and showing an alternate way of adjusting the handle for carrying;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a blank showing a some' what modified form;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the container in set-up condition as formed from the blank shown in Fig. 7

Figs. 9 and 10 are, respectively, rear an'd end elevational views of the container shown in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 1l is a vertical, sectional view taken along the line II-II of Fig. 10.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, Fig. 1 shows'a blank, indicated generally'by theehumeral I0, from which the package of the present invention is formed. The blank I0 has a bottom wall portion II, having a central longitudinal score line I2 extending throughout its length, and shown as a score line broken at spaced intervals by short cuts. Front wall I4 is formed adjacent botten; wall Il, the two being separated by score line aperture I6 cut therein, and this viewing aperture is preferably of oblong shape and of a length suillcient to extend across the major portion of the length of front wall.

Adjacent front wall I4 in the blank I0, and separated therefrom by a score line I8 is a top wall indicated generally by the numeral 20. Top wall 20 has central score line 22 formed therein, dividing the top wall into two panels 23l and 24. Panels 23 and 24 are adapted to assume an inclined position upon the assembly of the ccmpleted container, as will be more fully described below, and are therefore referred to as inclined portions. The inclined portions 23 and 24 are subdivided by hand aperture score lines 26 and A 21 respectively which parallel the central top wall score line 22. Thus inclined portion 23 is subdivided by scorel26 into subpanels 28 and 29, and inclined portion 24 is subdivided by score 21 into subpanels 3I and 32.

A cut line l34 of generally U-shaped form is formed in subpanel 28, and denes three sides of one of the hand apertures, also serving to deiine the flap 35. It will be noted that both ends of the U-shaped cut line 34 terminate at score line 26, and that the portion of score line 26 lying between the ends of cut line 34 can thus serve as a scored hinge line for flap 35. `A'cut line 36, similar to cut line 34, is formed in subpanel 32, defining a hand aperture and a flap 31. The two hand apertures and aps thus formed in top wall 20 are seen to be symmetrically positioned and in opposed relationship with respect to each other, and are symmetrically located in top wall 2U and with respect to center score line 22. These parts are of such construction that 'they cooperate to providl handle means integrally formed in the top wa Rear wall 40 is formed in the blank adjacent top wall 20 and separated therefrom by score line 4l. Rear wall 40 is of the same dimensions as front wall I 4. Adjacent rear wall 40 a securing strip 43 is formed in the blank, and sepa- Front wall I4 has a contents-viewing rated from rear wall 40 by score line 44. Securing strip 43 is adapted to be securedto bottom wall II by suitable means such as adhesive as the first step in forming the blank into the set-up package.

shipped in fiat form to the point of use. To fold the blank flat when in its secured form, folding takes place along center top score 22, and along center bottom wall score I2. It will be noted that the width of top wall 20 in flat form is greater than the width of bottom wall II. Consequently the central bottom score I2 is provided.

to make possible the flat folding of the blank when in its secured form.

Means are provided for enclosing'the ends of the container for retaining the contents therein. For this purpose, end closure means are provided upon the blank, and the parts comprising these means are adapted to interlock with each other to form contents-retaining end closures when the package is set up. Front wall I4 has end flaps 46 and 41 integrally formed at either side thereof and separated therefrom by score -lines 48 and49. These flaps are of similar construction, and have locking projections or tongues 5I and 52 formed at approximately the midpoint of their outer edges. 'I'he flaps 46 and 41 are thus wider at their lower portions than at the upper portions above locking means 5| and 52.

Rear wall 40 has end flaps 54 and 55 formed on either side thereof, and separated therefrom by score lines 56 and 51. Rear wall end flaps 54 and 55 are substantially the same in form as front wall end flaps 46 and 41, and include locking means 58 and 59 which are adapted to interlock with locking means 5| and 52 of the front wall end flaps. It will be observed that when the blank is secured upon itself rear wall end flaps 54 and 55 Will occupy a position which is the reverse of and complementary to that of front wall end flaps 46 and 41, and therefore the wide portionsA of these lflaps will be uppermost, and the narrow portions on the other side of locking means 58 and 59 will be lowermost.

A third pair of end flaps, bottom wall end flaps 6| and 62 are provided on either side ofthe bottom wall and separated therefrom by score lines 63 and 64. Each of these bottom wall end flaps is provided with a pair of locking tongues 65 which are adapted to cooperate with locking means in the form of angular slots .66 formed in the other two pairs of end flaps.

After the blank has been formed and secured upon itself by means of securing strip 43, `it can readily be set up for filling and use.

With the blank thus securedupon itself, it is adapted to be folded flat and'- As' previ-' ously described, the blank is adapted to beg shipped flat in secured form, and is thereafter adapted to be set up and filled at the point of use. In setting up the blank the bottom Wall is flattened along score line I2 and side walls I4 and 40 folded at right-angles thereto along score lines I5 and 44, respectively. 'I'he front wall and rear wall end flaps are then interlocked. For example, front wall end flap 46 is folded inwardly, hinging along score line 48. Rear wall end flap 54 is then folded inwardly along score line 56, and locking tongue 58 is then moved to interlocking position underlying front wall flap 46. As thus assembled, both locking tongues 5|'and 58 are concealed, and the widened portion of the end flaps which lies in line with these locking tongues is likewise concealed. The bottom end flap 6| is then folded upwardly about score line 63 and the tongues 65 are interlocked with the locking means or slots 66 in end flaps 46 and 54, these slots 66 being now similarly positioned in the end of the container and located to properly receive the locking tongues 65.

With "one end thus assembled, the package is .ready to receive the contents. As shown particularly in Fig. 2, the package is adapted to receive a plurality of merchandising containers, such, for example, as five quart cans of lubrieating oil. In filling the package for this use, three quart cans are positioned on end in the bottom of the container, and as thus positioned a substantial portion of these three containers is visible through viewing aperture I6. Two additional quart cans are then inserted so as to lie on their sides and resting on the tops of the three lower cans. With the package thus filled, the opposite end is closed, the procedure being substantially the same as that described with respect to the other end.

The setting up and filling of the package causes inclined portions 23 and 24 to assume an inclined position, and top wall 20 thus assumes a gabled or peaked form, with center line 22 forming the ridge. Flaps 35 and 31 can then be bent inwardly, hinging about the central portions of score lines 26 and 21. These parts provide a readily graspable and load-distributing handle. While it is possible to fasten flaps 35 and 31 in the desired position, it is preferred to leave them completely free, and thus the purchaser of the package is presented with a choice of ways in which to operate the handle. In the position indicated in Fig. 5 one of the flaps 35, 31 is first bent to a horizontal position, and the other flap is then bent so that it underlies the first in contact therewith and parallel thereto. The first flap bent in thus rests against the opposite inclined portion, falling substantially on s-core line 26 or 21 as the case may be. In this parallel position the first flap bent in serves in effect as a strut and maintains the triangular shape of the grasping portion of the handle and thus provides a handle with a solid feel, and of convenient size. It will be noted that flaps 35 and 31 are dimensioned so that a break or change in direction occurs in the inclined portions along score lines 26 and 21 so that on one side subpanels 28 and 29 lie at a slight angle to each other, and on the other side subpanels 3| and 32 are similarly positioned. This construction, producing a slight bend along score lines 26 and 21 provides added flexibility to the handle construction in that the handle can more readily perform slight relative movements to the rest of the package.

If the customer prefers, flaps 35 and 31 may b e bentyfurther inwardly until they lie substantially jparallel' and in vertical face-to-face relation, as indicated in Fig. 6. It will be noted that in this position the two subpanels which make up each of the inclined portions are at a greater angle to each other. The same flexing action of the handle as discussed in connection with Fig. 5 relative to the body of the package is obtainable when the package is set up as in Fig. 6.

There is thus provided a low cost, convenient and readily portable container or package which is particularly adapted for use as a merchandising unit. Thus for example where it is desired to sell five quarts of oil as a unit, since ve quarts is a commonly used automobile crankcase capacity, the package presents the desired quantity in a completely assembled and conveniently carried form. For this reason the package is of value in promoting the sale of such a quantity,

rather than of a lesser number. Additional sales usefulness is inherent because the contents are.

And in this case, as with' mediately available to the customer in a compact and conveniently transportable form.

In Figs. '1 toll, there is shown a modified form of the invention. In this form, the means for securing the ends of the package to maintain the contents in position are formed from the material Within the confines of the front and back Walls.

of this embodiment is shown, the blank comprises a bottom-wall 10, a front wall 1|, a top wall 12 and a rear wall 13. 1 These walls are separated byl score lines, as was the case inthe previous embodiment, and the construction of top wall 12 is in all respects the same as that of top wall described in connection with the `preceding em-A bodiment. Securing strip 15 is formed adjacent bottom wall 10, being separated therefrom by score lines 16. Securing strip 15 is adapted' to be secured to rear wa1l13.

Front wall 1| has 'a contents-viewing-aperture 18 formed therein by ,top and bottom'cut lines v80 and 8|. A pair of score lines 83 and 84 join the outer ends of cuts 80 and 8|. The material between cut lines 88 and 8| is centrally divided Referring particularly to Fig. 7 where the blank as indicated at 85, to provide two'i'laps 81 andv` 88. Suflicient material is cut out and removed at 85 lto produce flaps of the proper length to extend across the ends of the package in the desired way. Flaps 81 and 88 are adapted to hinge inwardly at score lines 83 and 84, and means are provided for lockingv these flaps in position. The

A free end of each iiap is arranged for cooperative interlocking engagement with the opposite wall. For this purpose, adjacent the free end of each flap there is a cut line90 which defines a locking tongue 9|, shown as of generally semicircular shape. Short scores 92 extend from the two ends of cut 90 to the top and bottom edges of the fiap. It will be noted that these scores do not extend inwardly of the ends of cut 90. Thus the locking tongue 9| and the end portion 93 of the flaps remain in the same plane when hinging takes place along scores 92. Tongues 9| are received by slots 95 formed in the rear wall 13 of the package. Each of the flaps 81 and 88 are divided byl a pair of transverse score lines 96 which divide K the flaps into small panels and make it possible for these panels to hinge relative vto each other. These flaps are positioned relatively low in the container and provide for securing the lower row of contents when the package is lled in the way discussed in connection with Fig. 2.

Additional contents-securing flaps |08 and |0| are formed in rear wall 13 by cut lines |82 which define three sides thereof. The outermost ends of these cut lines are connected by scores |84 which provide for the hinging of flaps |08 and l0| inwardly to end-closing position. It will be noted that score lines |04 are longer than the width of iiaps |88 and |02, and that one end of each cut line |02 is downwardly inclined as indicated at |85. This construction provides additional rigidity for rear wall 13 when aps |88 and |8| are moved to end closing position substantially at right-.angles to theY rearwall-,forfitfwiu be observed that'bysl'reason'of,inclined cui; -porpg tions |05:.thev s areas of possible v.Weakness :of the ff cut out wall donotoccurnin; alignment, .asstheyg Locking meansr are providedon eachof.` :the rear wallv endflaps-flgandy|8|,to provide for interlocking with-,otherparts of .g the container to. retain the, contents.A Theflap-construction..inf.`V` cludes substantiallysemicirculargfcuts.|01,the a ends of which are 'connectedbyshort scores lua to the edges ofthefaps., .There-is thus lfformed a tongue |89 which-is -maintainedin the same plane as flaplend; |0 when hingingvtakes place valong scores |08.' This isillustratedparticularly invFig.y 11, in;which it is `seen that tongue |09 and stripend ||8 lie substantially in the same plane.

The setting up and filling of this embodiment will be in they mainy clear fromv the above description. One of `the-front iwall end naps, for

example flap 88, is inwardly' bent, hinging at score line 84, and .the locking tongue isr in,l serted in the corresponding slot 95. iQn the saine` side, rear wall endxiiapz-|8| isfinwardly hingedI about its score line |84.' and-locking tongue '|89 is inserted, in the properslot ||2` formed in front wall 1|. It willbe noted that the front wall flaps 81 and 88 are made somewhat longer than th normal distance between front wall 1|*and rear wall 13, that is they are longer thanthe depth a of the container: Thus when' set up, these flaps x bow outwardly by reasonoftheirtransverse score lines 96, and they thustake on4 a'conguration which' roughly conforms to the' cylindrical sur- `face of the oil can or other "merchandising container to be placed in the package. 'I'he rear wallv iiaps |0|y and |02,'however, are at thelevel of the two upperv containers which are placed ion their sides. flaps come in contactwith the containerfends,

and are therefore made theproper length to extend straight across the package, kand are ."not,

provided with any transverse scores.

After securing the two flaps on one` end,the 1 container is lled, `following the same arrangement as described above for packaging oil4 cans for example, and the end iiaps on'the other end. `are then secured in place. l

the handle means formed in top wall'12 is similar to that of the prior embodiment.

The embodiment of Figs. '1 and 1l has thej ad l vantage of requiring less stock,v since the blankv need only have a width vequal to one dimension z of the container walls, there being no requirement of extra material for the formation of end flaps since these are formed from the material present within the confines of the frontand backVv y wall. This embodiment also in the main pos-v sesses the same advantages as the other embodiment, in thatit provides a convenient unitary package which is adapted to receivea plurality of merchandising units and present them in the form of an attractive and conveniently portable package.

While the articles herein described constitute preferred embodimentspf the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise articles, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the 'appended claims,

What is claimed is:

1. A container of the character described for receiving a quantity of merchandising units and being adapted to be shipped in iiattened form Consequently these`rear wall end 'Ihe functioning of i and to be assembled into -operative position to provide a convenient manuallycarried merchandising package comprising a single sheet of paper material having score lines therein dening front, rear, top and bottom walls permanently and hingedly connected one to another by said score lines, a .securing strip formed along one of said walls and permanently fastened to another of said walls to form a continuous wall collapsible container the `Vall-forming portions of which are at all times maintained in continuous relationship, said top wall including a pair of inclined portions separated by transverse score lines into upper and lower pairs of panels, the upper panels being integrally joined at their upper edges and the lower panels extending downwardly toward their respective permanent connections with said front and rear walls along score lines, handle means formed in said inclined portions including cut lines providing a pair of hand apertures symmetrically positioned in each of said lower panels and spaced downwardly of the upper integrally joined edges thereof forming flaps adapted to hinge along said transverse score lines to provide with said upper panels a exible grip for carrying the container while maintaining said front and rear walls substantially uniformly spaced, said lower panels having a combined width substantially the same asthe spacing of said front and rear walls providing for folding of said upper panels in face to face relation with each other and downwardly upon one of said lower panels, for shipping and the like.

2. A container of the character described for receiving a quantity of merchandising units and being adapted to be shipped in attened form and to be assembled into operative position to provide a convenient manually carried merchandising package c'omprising a single sheet of paper material having score lines therein defining front, rear, top and bottom walls permanently and hingedly connected one to another by said score lines, a securing strip formed along one of said walls and permanently fastened to another of said walls to form a continuous wall collapsible container the wall-forming portions of which are at all times maintained in continuous relationship, cut lines on said front wall defining edges of an aperture for viewing the merchandise containers within the package, a cut line across the material between said aperture-defining cut lines and separating said material into iiaps, score lines connecting the ends of said aperture-defining cut lines and providing for inward hinging movements of said flaps, locking means formed in said flaps adiacent the free ends thereof, locking means in said rear wall cooperating with said flap-locking means to secure said iiaps across the package to maintain the contents in position,

rear wall cut lines deiining additional flaps in said rear wall, score lines connecting the ends of said rear wall cut lines and providing for inward hinging movements of said additional iiaps, locking means formed in said additional naps adjacent the free ends thereof, locking means in said front wall cooperating with said last-named locking means to secure said additional flaps across the package and maintain the contents in position, said top wall including a pair of inclined portions integrally joined at their upper edges and extending downwardly toward their Va convenient manually carried merchandising `package comprising a single sheet of paper material having score lines therein defining front, rear, top and bottom walls permanently and hingedly connected one to another by said score lines, a securing strip formed along one of said walls and permanently fastened to another of said walls to form a. continuous wall collapsible container the wall-forming portions of which are at all times maintained in continuous relationshipf said continuous wall portion forming a merchandise-conveying member adapted to receive a plurality of merchandising units through the ends thereof, handle means integrally formed in said container, and contents-retaining means including cut lines in said front wall dening edges of an aperture for viewing the merchandise containers within the package, a cut lin'e across the material between said aperture-defining cut lines and separating said material into flaps, score lines connecting the ends of said aperture-defining cut lines and providing for inward hinging movements of said naps, locking means formed in said naps adjacent the free ends thereof, locking means in said rear wall cooperating with said nap-locking means to secure said iiaps across the package to maintain the contents in position, rear wall cut lines defining additional naps in said rear wall, score lines connecting the ends of said rear wall cut lines and `providing for inward hinging movements of said additional flaps, locking means formed in said additional flaps adjacent thefree ends thereof, and locking means in said frontwall cooperating with said last-named locking means to secure said additional flaps across the package and maintain the contents in position. a

HOWARD J. FISCHER. 

